Fantasy MLS Gameweek 22 Review and Gameweek 23 Preview

The weekend marked the introduction of VAR ( video assistant referee ) across the entire MLS which already had influence in some of the games. We witnessed another spectacular Hudson River Derby with Villa scoring his first hatrick. Overall it was a lively round with 36 goals including 3 braces and a hat trick.

Gameweek 22 Review

D.C. United had to settle just for a point at home against TorontoFC. They took the lead in the 6th minute with a goal from Opara. A minute before half time the host was left with 10 men after Sam was sent off. The own goal from Birnbaum finished in 1-1.

Philadelphia Union recorded their first ever win against FCDallas. It all started well in the first half with goals from Sapong and Ilson. Sapong scored his second goal in the 68th minute. In the 78th minute Urruti was denied a goal decided by VAR. The consolation goal came in injury time from Barrios 3-1.

Montreal Impact earned the three points against Orlando City. The only goal in the first half was scored by Larin. Three minutes into the second Piatti equalised with a penalty kick. The winner came from substitute Jackson-Hamel in the 84th minute 2-1.

Minnesota United was demolished at home by Seattle Sounders. Bruin opened the scoring early in the game and Dempsey added another one. In the second half Morris netted the third and two minutes later Clint completed his brace 4-0.

Chicago Fire returned home with a win while hosting NewEngland Revolution. Polster scored the first and Kei Kamara answered with an equaliser. Juninho reinstated the lead for the home team. De Leeuw made it three in the 49th minute. The guests became more defensive but Solignac found the net in the last seconds of the game 4-1.

Colorado Rapids shared a point each with Vancouver Whitecaps. A goal from Tchani put the visitors on the scoreboard in the 5th minute. Not long after Sjoberg produced the equaliser. Doyle made it two for the host but Montero levelled the score to 2-2.

Once again Real Salt Lake just managed a draw at home against Houston Dynamo. Despite the host had 30 shots the visitors played defensive for the entire game 0-0.

San Jose Earthquakes extended their home winning streak this time against Columbus Crew. The goals came in each of the two halves from Urena and Wondolowski. Jahn scored his first goal of the season but that wasn’t enough for the guests 2-1.

It all ended even at the Children’s Mercy Park where SportingKansas City settled to a draw against Atlanta United. The first half went goalless. In the second the host was awarded penalty executed by Feilhaber. It looked like the home team was going to win but Jacob Peterson scored against his former team in stoppage time 1-1.

As always the Hudson River derby between NYCFC and NYRB was an entertaining event. The show was created by the two star players. David Villa scored his first MLS hatrick and Bradley Wright-Phillips added two goals to his tally 3-2.

Portland Timbers had a comfortable win at home to LA Galaxy. Ridgewell opened the scoring in the 5th minute and just a minute later Boateng scored the equaliser. In the 13th minute there was a goal from Zardes which was disallowed by VAR, instead he received a yellow card for a handball. The host continued with the attack and Valeri scored the second. The victory was confirmed by Powell to close the game 3-1.

Gameweek 23 Preview

This is a quick round with the two new franchises Atlanta United and Minnesota United on bye. All games will be played on the same day with a short break before the next round starts on the following Wednesday.

SEA ( W 9 D 7 L 7 ) vs SKC ( W 9 D 10 L 4 )

The Sounders now are unbeaten in the last seven games. They have tighten their defence and have three clean sheets in the last three. Jones is becoming a must have player with 43 points in the last 5 matches. Dempsey and Lodeiro will be good here.
Life after Dom Dwyer is going alright for Sporting. The worrying part is that the team has only one win on the road in the last five and that was against struggling LA. The good news is that Feilhaber is back in form with 3 goals in each of the last 3 games.

TOR ( W 12 D 8 L 3 ) vs POR ( W 9 D 7 L 8 )

After the great win against NYCFC the Reds just managed a draw thanks to the own goal from DC. In that very win Giovinco inspired many with a brace and after bringing such an expensive player it was logical to give him the armband. He disappointed bitterly and it will be a question can we still trust him?
While the Timbers have lost only once in the last five games they have won just one on the road since early April. That said Valeri will remain a popular pick with two goals and assist in the last two. To save some money Blanco is a great option.

DCU ( W 5 D 4 L 14 ) vs RSL ( W 7 D 5 L 12 )

The Capital men managed just about a draw after six losses in a row. Was that the beginning of recovery from the slump or just one off? They will host a team which has been improving steadily in the last few weeks. The salt lake have two consecutive wins on the road with 10 goals scored in them. Plata and Rusnak have been in excellent form at late. The new addition Marcelo Silva looks to be moulding fast in the team.

CLB ( W 10 D 2 L 12 ) vs CHI ( W 12 D 5 L 5 )

After three horrible games on the road the Crew will be back at home. That could be their chance to hold to the last playoff spot in the East for now. After a brace in round 21, Ola went back to his usual inconsistency.
We all know by now that the Fire are excellent at home with nine consecutive wins with 4 goals in each of the last 3. When it comes to games away they only have one win. The real test will be in this one and when they visit MTL next week. In the mean time special mention of Patrick Doody with 4 assists in his first two starts.

NYRB ( W 11 D 2 L 9 ) vs ORL ( W 8 D 6 L 9 )

After five consecutive wins the Bulls lost to their rivals NYC for a second time this season. Nevertheless they have 9 goals scored in the last two home games. That number is likely to increase again in this game. No need to say that Bradley will be in most of the teams this week, with 4 goals in the last 3 games that wouldn’t be a surprise. Kljestan is now with 12 assists and has generated 52 points in last 4 games.
On the contrast the Lions are not doing well lately. With just one win in the last five and a bad away record, Larin and new bow Dwyer remain a question mark.

DAL ( W 9 D 7 L 5 ) vs COL ( W 6 D 3 L 12 )

The Texans are in some kind of a slide conceding seven goals in the last two outings. In general they are good at home and before the shameful loss to Vancouver they had 13 goals scored in the previous three at the Toyota Stadium. Their chance is now as they are hosting the worst team on the road with no win and just three goals scored. That summit the visitors who are in total shambles this season.

NE ( W 7 D 5 L 10 ) vs VAN ( W 9 D 4 L 8 )

After wonderful wins against the Galaxy and Philly the Revs went back to a dismal loss. It’s hard to predict the outcome every time they play but Nguyen with 36 points in the last four games is always an option. There seems to be some kind of revival with Kei Kamara scoring four goals and an assist in the last three.
Let’s face it, the Caps look an improved team at late. The record on the road is not bad either but scoring as many goals as they are conceding. Montero continues to be a player on the rise with 3 goals and assist in the last two games.

PHI ( W 8 D 5 L 10 ) vs MTL ( W 7 D 6 L 8 )

Philly have been up and down in the resent weeks trying to find the road somehow if possible to sneak in the playoffs. As bad they are on the road they boost a good record at home. Four home wins in a row with 10 goals scored and only one conceded and 3 clean sheets can’t be ignored. Sapong is coming back with three goals and two assists in the last three. Medunjanin keeps bringing the points regardless what he does.
On the other hand we have a visiting team with an atrocious away record, won once this season. Piatti is slowly coming back from an injury and with the inconsistency from Dzemaili might not be enough for the Canadians.

HOU ( W 9 D 7 L 7 ) vs SJ ( W 9 D 5 L 9 )

The Dynamo is doing well so far with only one loss in the last seven. The trouble with them is that are getting used of many draws at late. At home they are immaculate where they have never lost and scored 30 goals, most in the league so far. The trouble with them is the different levels of performance at different times.
The visiting team here is trying to hold on a playoff position which is hanging in the air. It is another team with a home and away contrast, four home consecutive wins and four away losses in a row. And when they lose they do it with many goals shipped.

LA ( W 6 D 5 L 11 ) vs NYCFC ( W 12 D 4 L 7 )

The Galaxy is now without a win in last 7 games. The departure of the old manager and the arrival of Sigi Schmid have not changed things around yet. The team is 9 points away from the last playoff spot in the West. Will it be any great combination with the Dos Santos brothers remains to be seen.
It remains difficult to read the Blues in the last few weeks with their ups and downs. They are coming into this game on the back of a great win over the Bulls and that might help them to keep the rhythm. David Villa has not scored only once in the last six games and with his first hatrick now he is a leader with 17 goals in the Golden Boot race. Despite the not so great away form I expect the pigeons to do well against the team with the worst home record.

Captain Suggestions

1. Villa (NYCFC): He is unstoppable at the moment.2. Dempsey (SEA): At home against a bad travelling team.3. BWP (NYRB): In great form at late.

DEADLINE

Saturday 12.08.17 at 4 PM EDT – 9 PM BST

Best of luck to all FFF Managers

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IvanTheTerrible

There was no fantasy football game I wasn't involved with . This time I am sticking with FPL with two teams plus My Rules. And of course my beloved MLS.

@IvanTheTerrible mostly unlucky in fairness, but i did try to nudge you off iwobi isn’t one good pool mid better than iwobi and matic? (who incidentally played an absolute blinder yesterday and totally deserved a goal.)

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